Pafbc and Pagc to stop deputy wardens program

[CRB]

https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/outdoors/2026/08/13/pennsylvania-ending-deputy-game-warden-programs-game-commission-fish-and-boat-commission/91289146007/

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Getting closer to fish commission, game Commission, and DCNR merger?

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Yep. The the pfbc needs restductured

 

[CRB]

law enforcement will be merged with pagc,dcnr and state police.

 

[Bamboozle]

Merge PennDOT & the Turnpike Commission while you are at it...

 

[troutbert]

Getting closer to fish commission, game Commission, and DCNR merger?

What connection do you see between this and the ending of the deputy wardens program?

 

[rrt]

When the poachers find this out, they will be smiling -- that many fewer eyes on them.

 

[TimMurphy]

Getting closer to fish commission, game Commission, and DCNR merger?

Dear Roofin' Trouter,

I could be wrong, but I really don't see that happening any time soon.

If there is one absolute certainty when it comes to Pennsylvania and governmental agencies across all levels of government, it's that consolidation means surrendering autonomy and that is totally unacceptable. Every duplicate layer has its own individual purpose; it's literally the cornerstone of Pennsylvania governance. 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[dudemanspecial]

"This decision reflects our focus on having the most efficient and effective full-time, professional workforce,” John Buffone, press secretary for the agency, said Aug. 13 in an email. "

This is a key statement here. What does this mean? If the word effective is to be taken seriously, then it sounds like they are gonna add more full time officers. If the word efficient is to be taken seriously, they are gonna dump more work on the officers they already have. Efficency is the new buzz word for more work.

 

[jifigz]

Dear Roofin' Trouter,

I could be wrong, but I really don't see that happening any time soon.

I was told by a WCO that the merger is already "in the works," and that in a few years, they should be merged.

 

[TimMurphy]

I was gone by a WCO that the merger is already "in the works," and that in a few years, they should be merged.

Dear jifigz,

This is Pee-Aye, you could time a hundred-yard dash by the legislature with a sundial over two days. Granite erodes faster than this government works. Just sayin'! 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

I was gone by a WCO that the merger is already "in the works," and that in a few years, they should be merged.

Yes,I was told the same by a pfbc employee.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

What connection do you see between this and the ending of the deputy wardens program?

Isn't that the way mergers go sometimes? Combine workforces and get rid of some employees. I've heard some business types call it trimming the fat.

 

[jifigz]

The real loser in the merger is the game commission. They had money, and the broke and unsustainable PFBC will just bring them down.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

Dear Roofin' Trouter,

I could be wrong, but I really don't see that happening any time soon.

If there is one absolute certainty when it comes to Pennsylvania and governmental agencies across all levels of government, it's that consolidation means surrendering autonomy and that is totally unacceptable. Every duplicate layer has its own individual purpose; it's literally the cornerstone of Pennsylvania governance. 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

Tim Murphy,
I read a few articles on the subject within the past year. I've also been told its pretty much a done deal maybe waiting for election season to pass before they rile people up. They say 40 some other states already have done this. But we'll see because this is PA like you said

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

The real loser in the merger is the game commission. They had money, and the broke and unsustainable PFBC will just bring them down.

Or DCNR for that matter. How does their budget look? Can't see them bringing in much revenue selling firewood permits and campsites. Timber leases and mineral extraction but wells getting capped and some mills closed or downsized within the last 18 months.

 

[TimMurphy]

Tim Murphy,
I read a few articles on the subject within the past year. I've also been told its pretty much a done deal maybe waiting for election season to pass before they rile people up. They say 40 some other states already have done this. But we'll see because this is PA like you said

Dear Roofin' Trouter,

While 40 other States may have combined departments, how many of them are self-sustaining and not under the control of general assembly of those States? Personally, I am only familiar with NY State. All of their fish, game, and environmental policies and programs are funded by the general assembly. License money goes to the State, and the legislature decides how it is dispensed. That is completely opposite from PA.

Based on how the PA legislature works in polar opposites depending on the party in charge I see bringing them under one umbrella and giving control to the legislature as an impending disaster of epic proportions. Think about our budget process and apply that to the outdoors and it will be bad!

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[greywolf]

I was told by a WCO that the merger is already "in the works," and that in a few years, they should be merged.

I could see the two law enforcement groups combining by early 2027. Kind of makes sense since PFBC is really busy in spring snd summer while PGC is really busy in fall and early winter.

 

[troutbert]

Does the word "deputy" inspire confidence?

It's important to have professional law enforcement officers with good training and experience.

 

[greywolf]

The real loser in the merger is the game commission. They had money, and the broke and unsustainable PFBC will just bring them down.

If this actually happens hopefully some of that money cab be used for high value fishing access easements and improving trout streams on gamelands